HAVEFORDWEST are proving to be mean opponents. They have not scored that many - just 28 goals in 23 games, but they have conceded only 15.

This game was only half-typical. The home goal was not put under any great threat, but, if the west Wales side had taken their chances, they could have won very comfortably.

Haverfordwest started at pace and forced three corners in the first four minutes.

In the fifth, they went ahead when birthday boy, Adie Harris, fastened onto a kick-out from his goalkeeper, Lee Kendall.

He seemed to be drifting away from goal but, as he reached the by-line, he released a snap-shot which squeezed past Gerard McGuigan, the Porthmadog keeper, and found its way into the net.

Haverfordwest continued to dominate the first half, and Harris had another chance, but his 20-yard shot was blocked. After 16 minutes, Wayne Jones crossed and McGuigan was forced into a double save to keep the score at 1-0.

Soon after, a three-man move put Rhys Griffiths through but his shot was blocked, and on the half-hour mark, Colin Loss hit the post from a Darren Ryan corner.

Porthmadog's only threat came when Gareth Parry netted, only to be blown up for offside.

Just before the interval, Wyn Thomas almost doubled the Haverfordwest lead when he headed against the bar.

The second half, in contrast, was a scrappy affair, with few threats on either goal.

It was livened up by a running feud between Wyn Thomas, the home side's uncompromising centre-back, and his opposing centre forward, Mark Williams.

It was a test of referee Bevan's man-management skills, and it was to his credit that both players made it to the end without even a yellow card.